13 Spooky Halloween Cocktail Recipes

Sarah Karnasiewicz

The kids can keep the candy—treat the grown-ups to one of these fiendishly good holiday drinks.

1 of 13Sarah Karnasiewicz

Black Velvet

It may look like the stuff of witches brew, but this disarmingly simple combination of beer and bubbly wine is true to its name: rich, smooth, and lush. It’s also perfectly balanced, with the dark, chocolate notes of the stout (perfect for Halloween!) offset by the crisp fizz of the champagne.

Black Sun

The bittersweet orange edge of Cointreau liqueur adds citrus complexity to this tasty twist on the classic Cuba Libre. Add a spooky swizzle stick for a festive note or an orange garnish for a punch of seasonal color.

El Diablo

Despite its name, the only thing devilish about this tequila cocktail is how easily you can slurp one down. Even traditional margarita drinkers will have to admit that the combination of sweet crème de cassis, earthy tequila, bright lime, and spicy ginger beer is a stroke of utter genius.

The Last Word

Electric green Chartreuse liqueur is the star of this crisp, Prohibition-era classic. While some of the ingredients may seem a bit obscure, trust us, they’re worth the investment: you’re going to want to make more of these.

Blood and Sand

This elegant cocktail is nearly a century old and takes its name not from gruesome ingredients, but a 1920s movie starring Rudolph Valentino. Though the components may seem a little odd, they blend seamlessly, and the warming scotch and sweet vermouth are a welcome nod to early autumn.

Chartreuse Smash

This is one cocktail that will make you happy to drink your greens. Muddled mint and a bit of brown sugar take the medicinal edge off of the Chartreuse, resulting in a crisp, refreshing riff on the julep that is as delicious as it is eye-catching.